Airborne trash ignites New Hope auto shop

Firefighters battle a blaze at Unlimited Car Repair Service on East New Hope Road on Saturday around 2:30 p.m. Despite their efforts, the structure was reported to be a total loss. Four vehicles also were damaged beyond repair. Investigators said it started when a trash fire got out of control.

A fire that destroyed Unlimited Car Repair Service on New Hope Road Saturday began when burning trash from a fire barrel blew out of the barrel and ignited grass behind the auto shop, firefighters said.

New Hope Fire Chief Donald Gray was the first firefighter at the scene.

"From what we can tell, some burning trash from the barrel behind the garage ignited the grass and then spread to the oil barrel," Gray said. "After the oil barrel went up, it was over."

Witnesses said that once the oil barrel ignited, the smoke turned black and that was when they knew the fire was bad.

The building was declared a total loss and two vehicles inside the garage and another two under a shelter also were burned beyond repair, Gray said.

"When I got here, it was fully involved," Gray said. "We were able to save a motorcycle inside, but the other two vehicles inside and the two under the shelter are total losses. Three other vehicles behind the shop were damaged, too."

Firefighters from the Goldsboro Fire Department along with volunteers from New Hope, Saulston, Pinewood and Elroy fire departments worked to bring the blaze, which caused the building's roof to collapse, under control.